Bosa Resort – south of Alghero

Bosa is the relaxed resort to the south of Alghero.  It is the only town on the western stretch of coast in Sardinia so makes it well worth a visit.

Bosa was built 5 kilomtetres inland from the River Temo.  It is surrounded by mountains and sea, making it protected from any form of tourist development.  This has provided the resort with a relaxed atmosphere.  If you are staying in Alghero, then pop into your hire car and have a look around this resort.

The main attraction of Bosa is the hilltop remains of a medieval fortress called Castello Malaspina.  It was built by the Malaspina family in 1112.  However, nowadays all that remains of the fortress are the exterior walls and towers.  There is a gem here though in Bosa – the church called Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos.  It also contains some wonderful examples of Catalan art well worth a look.

There is a cathedral just south of here.  The cathedral was built in the fifteenth century although more recent developments were untaken during the Baroque period. 

The Bosa Marina is situated at the mouth of the River Temo.  There are beautiful sandy beaches here with a small number of restaurants, bars and hotels.   As previously said, well worth a visit if you jump in your hire car and take the trip from Alghero to Bosa.

The Island Of Sardinia: Beyond Costa Smeralda

Every summer, the north east of Sardinia fills up with an interesting host of characters – millionaires, celebrities and those trying to get a whiff of that action.  Costa Smeralda, of course, is the decidedly luxurious destination for the extravagant lot.  While it’s no longer as exclusive as it was many years ago, it continues to be the place to watch the moneyed glitterati hang out in their multimillion dollar yachts strewn across the sea.

Sardinia does have more going for it than a high-profile beach scene, though.  For instance, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mediterranean, the Anghelu Ruju, sits in the Sassari region of the island.  Other notable attractions include beautiful vineyards, ancient Roman ruins and breathtaking scenery scattered all over its four main regions.

There’s also beach action beyond the expensive trappings of Costa Smeralda.  A mere 45 minutes away via car hire from the popular destination is Golfo Aranchi and its series of unspoiled beaches with plenty of marine life and other adventures to offer.  Cagliari also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the island, including the turquoise waters that run through Poetto and Callamosca.  Even Olbia, the hub of people on their way to Costa Smeralda, has its own slice of gorgeous beach life in Pittulongu.

Alghero Nightlife

Alghero is a beautiful city surrounded by ancient walls amidst seven historic towers.  By day, this is a sight to behold.  At night, they provide the perfect backdrop to an evening of merrymaking and joyous festivity.

Despite the large amount of tourists passing through its streets, the city retains an undeniable small town charm.  Take a stroll through the web of narrow roads, stopping by among the bars and restaurants spilling out into the cobbled streets.

If you want to feel the ocean’s calming breeze, hit the bars along the waterfront and the beach.  Be there during sunset and take in the wonderful view while sipping on a cocktail of your picking.  Watch the fiery orange sky across the horizon or soak in the sight of the building walls reflecting colours of apricot and peach.

Take an outdoor table at one of the restaurants and enjoy Alghero’s seafood bounty.  Order the local rock lobster specialty, have some fresh fish or summon a plate of Malloreddus, Sardinia’s local pasta dish.  Top it off with a honey recipe for dessert and a sip of local wine.

The night ends early in Alghero, though, with most bars closing on or before 2 AM.  In the summer, you can head out to the ramparts, where nightlife bustles till dawn.

Alghero’s Grotta di Nettuno

No visit to the popular Sardinian coastal town of Alghero is complete without a trip to the famous Grotta di Nettuno (Neptune’s Grotto).  Located approximately 15kn to the west of Alghero these spectacular natural phenomena are easily accessed by the beautiful coastal road that winds around to Capo Caccia and the caves themselves. On arrival you must first negotiate what are known as the Escala del Cabirol or goat’s steps (all 656 of them), cut into the cliffs in 1954.

This incredible cave complex was discovered by fishermen in the 18^th Century, and is enhanced by dramatic lighting to accentuate the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.  Some of the strange and impressive rock formations give the Grotto the appearance of a cathedral at times, while others more closely resemble a church organ.  The hourly tours provide a comprehensive guide to the entire complex and will provide the visitor with one of the most hauntingly beautiful experiences Italy has to offer.

What to do in Alghero?

When you arrive in Alghero, car hire is an indispensable necessity if you wish to explore the stunning beauty of this town right on the Sardinian coastline.

Driving your car hire around Alghero will bring you face to face with one of the most charming and picturesque places in Italy. Day trip opportunities abound, from the Grotta di Nettuno’s famous series of caves to the spectacular marine reserves at the Punta Ghisceria. You can also drive and visit historical sites of interest like the Church of St. Mary and the Palazzo D’ Albis and learn more about the Catalan influence so prevalent in the town.

If you enjoy beaches, you couldn’t have come to a more perfect place. Bring your Alghero car hire and partake in the town’s fantastic coastlines, alternately spending your time in

Porto Conte, La Pelosa, Bosa Marina and dozens of other resorts catering to visitors all year round.

Don’t wait until you reach the Alghero to realize that you need a car to enjoy everything it has to offer. All it takes is a few minutes from your busy day to book your Alghero car hire with Pronto, the Italian car hire specialists. With the lowest prices on offer, there’s no point in thinking twice whether to book a car hire for your Sardinian holiday!

Alghero Airport Information

Alghero Airport (AHO) was founded at the end of WWII and remained largely a small airport until the influx of tourists, primarily from Northern Europe. These days it services just under 1,000,000 passengers a year keen to explore Alghero and Sardinia. So much so that the airport now has 17 check-in desks and one runway, which is approximately 3,300m in length – handy for that obscure pub quiz moment.

Access to Alghero airport is really good being serviced by the SS291 and SP44 motorways. For those looking to hire a car then we would of course recommend this site for obvious reasons. Those that are not going to hire a car could make use of the regular shuttle buses, which run between the airport, or a taxi which sit patiently outside the terminal ready to whisk passengers into Alghero and beyond.

Alghero Airport – General Information Telephone: (+)39 79 935282,

Airport Code: AHO

Address: Aeroporto Civile, 07040 S. Maria La Palma (SS), Italy

Airlines: Alitalia, DHL Air, Ryanair, Volare

 

Alghero – there is something for everyone

How to escape the crowds in Alghero

Crowds and Italy tend to go hand in hand as it is a small but populous country – nothing new there then.   With millions of people visiting each year it is like and invading armada of people.   We it is good to know that if you are in Sardinia then there is help at hand. 

The first place to get away from it all is the beautiful beaches. Being an island, there is plenty to choose from if you like sunbathing or swimming in crystal-clear blue water. But for the escapee this this is perhaps a reason to avoid some areas, most notoriously the Northeastern “Costa Smeralda” (Emerald Coast), in the months of July and August. With this in mind we would suggest visiting in late spring or warly autumn.  Some beaches, like Chia stretch for miles, with high dunes of thin white sand and wind-carved rock formations, where the only sounds you hear are those of the waves of its warm sea of many varieties of green and blue.

Sardinia is also beautiful for its inhabitants, the “Sardi”, who take great pride of their culture. Throughout the year, there are many festivals and fairs celebrating old traditions and customs, some religious and some pagan, often coinciding with the harvest and production of local products and delicacies, such as wine or honey. Every town and village has its culinary tradition in the form of weirdly shaped breads, sweets, pastas, lobster, roasted pork, and other kinds of fish and meat. The coastal cities, and especially Cagliari, are obviously the best places if you like fish. And Cagliari, with its millenary history, is also home to most cultural and sporting events. You can visit museums and art galleries, listen to classical music and opera, watch football and windsurf, or simply stroll along the old shopping district to watch people go by.

There are endless activities to keep a person of any age busy. We personally recommend renting a car, since it’s always the best way to get around the island and explore its busy cities and rustic and rugged environment. You can also rent a boat and explore the numerous small beaches, some of them only accessible by the sea. Just keep in mind that driving a boat often requires a license depending on its size. And if riding long-distances is not on your agenda, renting a bicycle or a motorcycle is a better option, especially for parking and traffic jams.

Had enough of the beaches in Sardinia and Algerho?

Enjoy these local dishes

Sardinia and Alghero are both famous for their delicious local dishes.  One of the must try being – malloreddus.  This is typical pasta made from semolina wheat, eggs, water and salt and seasoned with a great tomato sauce infused with sausages and fresh pecorino. We would also recommend that your taste buds enjoy the sumptuous culurgiones.  This is another type of pasta but it is stuffed with potato, mint and pecorino, delicately seasoned with basil.

Among the main courses, we must mention Su Porcheddu, the typical suckling pig, loved by locals and tourists alike. Sardinians love meat!! Make sure you try the lamb stews seasoned with a delicious sauce made from chopped dried tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. The Cordula with peas is a fantastic dish: is none other than the lamb’s intestine in olive oil with garlic and parsley and then cooked in a pot with water and peas.

Sardinian Desserts: pardulas, small cakes stuffed with fresh ricotta, or bianchittus,  meringues, cakes very light derived from simple ingredients such as almonds, sugar and egg white. 

For digestive purposes!! Immediately after the meal, you should order a Mirto, the Sardinian drink of choice made from Myrtle berries.

« Previous Page — Next Page »